Foley sets standards for V-Hawks

Bea Foley is well-versed in running. As a nursing major, cross-country runner, and ROTC member at Viterbo, Foley has little time to sit around. 

     On Oct. 17, all that running paid off. 

     Foley helped lead the Viterbo women's cross country team to a first-place finish in the Wisconsin Private Colleges State Championship meet, as the V-Hawks defeated second-place Beloit College by 19 points. 

     The team had six runners place in the top 30 of the 84 runner field. Foley took first place individually with a time of 23:22 on the six kilometer course, as she became the first in the program's history to earn a first place finish at a meet. 

     As a transfer from UW-L, Foley finds the Viterbo program to be a perfect fit. "We [the team] are blessed with an outstanding group of individuals from very different backgrounds and running experiences," Foley said. "The team cherishes each individual and places importance on encouraging and uplifting other teammates."

     She also credited coach John Metelko's recruiting for the team's success, and recognized her personal ROTC experience as an aid to her athletic career: "The values, leadership, discipline, and motivational skills that I develop through ROTC have certainly helped shape the athlete that I am in cross country," Foley said.

     The team will look to add to their achievements on Saturday, Nov. 7 in Oskaloosa, Iowa, when they will compete in the MCC conference meet.